Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit Enhances Beach Water Web Pages

As the beach season draws closer, residents and visitors are reminded to visit the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit’s beach water web pages, revamped this year to make it easier for people to make a more informed decision about which beach to visit.

“This summer, every public beach sampled is listed on our page, not just those posted with a swimming advisory, which was our previous practice. All beaches have an address with a map, and we added a symbol for each beach posted as open, swimming advisory in place, and closed,” said Christina Wieder, manager of the health unit’s Safe Water program.

Beach water quality is sampled for E. coli bacteria once a week in Simcoe Muskoka. When bacteria levels exceed Ontario guidelines, there may be a higher than normal risk of illness or infection and the beach is posted with a swimming advisory to let people know of potential risk. The swimming advisory remains posted until sample testing shows bacteria is once again within acceptable limits.

Testing results of beaches are reflective of the day and time they were sampled, and natural bodies of water are affected by weather conditions such as rain and wind, wave action as well as the number of bathers, waterfowl and animals in the immediate area.

“Our beaches are usually sampled once per week during July and August, but with natural bodies of water, conditions can change between sampling,” said Wieder. “By checking the beach water pages often, people can develop an understanding of the characteristics of their favourite beach, as well as potential risk, and make an informed decision on where to swim.”